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inting, caulking, repairing-many homebuyers are looking to avoid.

Two of the alternative sidings, fiber cement and vinyl, have taken the lion's share of the siding market because of their durability, low maintenance and lack of decay or termite issues. With advances in manufacturing technology, these siding manufacturers are now offering a broader product offering with a more finished look that adds to their curbside appeal.

Fiber cement manufacturers are developing a variety of textures beyond cedar to appeal to a broader audience. They are now offering vented soffit, as well as trim and panel products, and they have added a host of siding products finished in a wide range of designer colors, such as James Hardie's ColorPlus collection, with l5 year or better warranties on the finish.

The big news in vinyl siding is color, better curb appeal and insulation. As for color, LP, Owens Coming and others have found a wav to fuse a protective acrylic layer over the vinyl base to offer deep rich colored siding that weathers well and has outstanding fade resistance.

For curb appeal, vinyl siding manufacturers have invested in technology to offer siding with a more realistic, deeper wood grain appearance. In addition, injection molded polypropylene siding has seen steady growth in the coastal areas, as the molds are based on actual cedar shingles providing for a curb side look that is impossible to distinguish from real cedar.

The newest thing in vinyl is insulated vinyl siding. ABTco and others have introduced a vinyl siding with a polystyrene foam backing that gives it a solid wood like feel, and provides an R-3 value of insulation helping to keep the warm air in, or out, dependins on the season.

The big news in vinyl siding is color, better curb appeal and insulation.

Engineered wood is making a comeback below the Sunbelt because new technologies are providing it with outstanding decay and termite resistance. One such product, LP's new SmartSide siding (lap, panel, soffit, vented soffit and textured and smooth trim), is a treated engineered wood that has been infused with zinc borate, an environmentally safe product. The resulting siding demonstrates excellent resistance to decay and termites and has one of the best warranties in the business. lt is easy to use. comes in convenient l6-ft. lengths, weathers well, lays flat on the wall and has a pre-primed overlay for excellent paintability.

There have never been more choices in siding for the homebuilder or homebuyer. But improvements are still in the works for all of these siding alternatives.

What does the future hold? Look for more line expansions with more styles and look for more prefinished product in all categories. It may not get any easier to choose between types of siding, but the manufacturers are determined to make each product better looking, more durable and lower in maintenance. Technology is making better, attractive siding possible.